JP2002023679A - Househole electric appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the light emission quantity of displays with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: In a dynamic lighting control means for controlling selectively lighting of plural displays by the combination of a strobe signal and a display data signal, the light emission quantity of the lighting of the displays is made changeable by changing the length of a time when the strobe signal is generated in accordance with the brightness of the installation environment of an appliance, the presence of viewers, and/or the time width of a non-operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to household electric appliances.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A control device for a household electric appliance having a large number of displays and input switches is used to control the large number of displays and to take in signals from the input switches using a small number of input / output terminals. Displays and input switches are connected in a matrix by strobe power supply lines and data lines, and the ON / OFF of a specific display is controlled by the combination of the strobe signal and the display data signal, and the specific input is selected by the combination of the strobe signal and signal capture timing. A signal from a switch signal is taken in to detect an input state of the input switch.

[0003] By the way, the display is turned on / off in order to display the setting state of the operation contents of the device and the operation status, but the environmental condition of the home electric device depends on brightness, popularity (user), presence / absence of operation and operation. It is desirable to display in a form suitable for this environmental condition. For example,
For easy display, it is necessary to increase the amount of light emission and display brightly in a bright environment, and to reduce the amount of light emission and display darkly in a dark environment. Also,
It is useless to emit light and display when it is not popular,
A state in which the no-operation time continues for a long time is likely to be an environment in which the user is absent or in which the device is not operated, and it is useless to display brightly in such an environment.

[0004]

In order to avoid such a waste of power due to such easy-to-see and unnecessary lighting, the amount of light emission (intensity of light emission) of the display can be adjusted according to the environmental conditions. Household electric appliances have been proposed.

However, in order to adjust the amount of light emitted from the display in accordance with the environmental condition of the device, means for detecting the environmental condition and control means for adjusting the amount of power supplied to the display are required. There is a problem that the clothing becomes complicated and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a household electric appliance having a simple structure in which the amount of light emitted from a display can be adjusted according to the environmental condition of the appliance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a household electric appliance capable of rationally realizing control of a light emission amount of a display and taking in of an input switch signal with a simple configuration.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an operation unit for setting operation contents of a device or instructing start or stop of operation, and a display unit for displaying the contents of the settings and the operation status of the device. A home electric device comprising a light emission amount adjusting means for detecting the brightness and / or popularity of the installation environment of the device and / or the length of non-operation time and adjusting the light emission amount of the indicator on the display unit; The display unit includes dynamic lighting control means for selectively controlling lighting of a plurality of displays by a combination of a strobe signal and a display data signal, and the lighting light emission amount adjusting means includes brightness of an installation environment of a device and / or The light emission amount of the display is changed by changing the generation time width of the strobe signal according to the popularity and / or the non-operation time length. To.

The dynamic lighting control means generates each strobe signal at a fixed cycle, and the lighting light emission amount adjusting means changes the timing of terminating each strobe signal to change the generation time width of each strobe signal. Is changed.

The present invention also provides an operation input unit having an input switch for setting operation contents of a device or instructing start or stop of operation, and a display for displaying the set contents and the operation status of the device. A household electrical appliance comprising: a display unit having: a light-emitting amount adjusting unit for detecting the brightness and / or popularity of the installation environment of the device and / or the length of non-operation time to adjust the light-emitting amount of the display. Wherein the operation input unit includes dynamic input control means for selectively capturing input signals from a plurality of input switches by a combination of a strobe signal and an input switch signal, and the display unit includes a strobe signal and a display data signal. Dynamic lighting control means for selectively controlling lighting of a plurality of displays by a combination, The brightness of the equipment of the installation environment and /
Alternatively, by changing the generation time width of the strobe signal in accordance with the popularity and / or the non-operation time length, the light emission amount of the display is changed, and the dynamic input control means reads the input switch signal from each of the strobe signals. Is performed at the timing of the first half or the second half of the time width of occurrence of.

The dynamic lighting control means generates each strobe signal at a constant cycle, and the lighting light emission amount adjusting means changes the timing of generating each strobe signal by changing the timing at which each strobe signal is trailing. The width is changed, and the dynamic input control means captures the input switch signal at the first half timing of the generation time width of each strobe signal.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of an electric washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a fully automatic electric washing machine is exemplified.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an outer frame of the electric washing machine, which constitutes a housing surrounding the periphery of the internal mechanism. 2 is a washing tub and dehydration tub provided in the outer frame 1 and has a large number of dehydration holes 2a in the body,
A fluid balancer 3 is provided at the upper edge. A stirring blade 4 is rotatably provided inside the bottom of the washing / dewatering tub 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer tub, in which the washing tub and the dewatering tub 2 are provided.
And the stirring blade 4 is accommodated rotatably. This outer tank 5
Electric drive device 6 having a built-in drive motor outside its bottom
Is mounted by a steel plate mounting base 7 and the outer frame 1 is mounted.
Are suspended from the four upper corners of the device by a vibration isolating support device 8.

The upper cover 9 having the clothes input opening 9a
Provided on the washing / dewatering tub 2. The upper cover 9 is fitted to the opening edge of the outer frame 1 so as to cover the upper opening of the outer frame 1, and is attached to the outer frame 1 together with the front panel 10 and the back panel 11 by mounting screws (not shown).

A front panel box 12 formed at the front of the upper cover 9 and below the front panel 10.
Is an operation panel 13 including an input switch group as an operation switch, a display group and a sensor as notification means, a control device 14, and a water level sensor 15 for generating a water level detection signal according to the water level in the outer tank 5. To accommodate.

As shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel 13 is provided with a group of input switches as a group of input switches.
Setting input switches such as a switch for setting standard dirt and less dirt), a switch for setting dry mark clothing washing, a switch for setting futon washing, a switch for selecting the intensity of washing or rinsing water flow, and a switch for indicating the type of cloth. A group 16, a start / stop switch 17 for instructing start and stop, and a power switch 18 are provided.
In addition, as a display group, an LED (light emitting diode) group 1
9 and 7 segment LED groups 20 are provided. Further, an optical sensor 21 and a popularity sensor 22 are provided as sensors. The optical sensor 21 uses a photoelectric conversion element to output a detection signal corresponding to the amount of light in the device environment (environmental brightness), and the popular sensor 22 uses infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. Then, a device that detects a change in the environment (movement of a person) near the device and outputs a detection signal is used. Since these sensors 21 and 22 are all general ones, their illustration is omitted.

A water supply solenoid valve 26 having a water inlet side connected to a water inlet 24 and a water outlet side connected to a water inlet 25 is provided in a back panel box 23 formed below the back panel 11 at a rear portion of the upper cover 9. To accommodate. The water inlet 25 is formed so as to discharge water toward the opening of the washing / dewatering tub 2. The back panel box 23 includes a bath water pump (not shown) for pumping water such as bath water and supplying it to the washing / dewatering tub 2 as necessary, and the water supply electromagnetic valve 26.
A filter device (not shown) for removing metal ions from the tap water supplied from the tank and supplying the same to the water inlet 25 is installed.

A clothing input opening 9a formed in the upper cover 9.
Has a structure that can be freely opened and closed by a lid 27.

A drain port 5a formed at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is connected to a drain hose 29 via a drain solenoid valve 28.
An air trap 5b formed below the outer tub 5 is connected to the water level sensor 15 via an air tube 30 to generate a detection signal corresponding to the water level in the outer tub 5.

Below the outer frame 1, a synthetic resin base 32 having legs 31 attached to the four corners is mounted.

The electric drive unit 6 includes a stator 33a for generating a rotating magnetic field and a rotor 3 for rotating with the rotating magnetic field.
In order to switch the drive motor 33 provided with 3b and the rotation of the drive motor 33 to be transmitted only to the stirring blade 4 in the washing and rinsing steps, and to the washing / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 in the dewatering step. And a speed reduction mechanism 35 interposed in a rotation transmission system between the drive motor 33 and the stirring blade 4 to reduce the rotation speed. Drive motor 33
Uses a brushless motor with excellent controllability, and supplies power to this brushless motor using an inverter circuit.
M (pulse width modulation) control and PAM (pulse voltage modulation) control perform a wide range of rotation control. This electric drive device 6 is covered with a cover 36 to be waterproof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric system of the electric washing machine.

The control device 14 is supplied with power from a commercial AC power supply via a power switch 18 and
The setting and display control of the washing and dehydration control program are executed by the input from the
The washing and dehydration control process and the display control process according to the washing and dehydration control program are executed in response to an input instruction from.

The control device 14 includes a microcomputer 37 for controlling each operation of the washing machine, and the control device 1
4, a line filter 38 for preventing leakage of high-frequency noise generated in the commercial power supply circuit, a DC power supply circuit 39 for converting an AC voltage from a commercial AC power supply input to the controller 14 to a DC voltage, Computer 37
A low-voltage power supply circuit 40 for generating a low voltage for operating the entire control circuit, and the microcomputer 3 for normally starting a control program after power-on or when the voltage of the low-voltage power supply circuit 40 abnormally drops.
A reset circuit 41 for sending a reset signal to the microcomputer 7, an auxiliary device driving circuit 42, 43, 44, 45 which is controlled by the microcomputer 37 and drives electric components for executing a series of steps such as washing, rinsing and dehydrating. An oscillator 46 for outputting a clock waveform as a reference for the time operation of the microcomputer 37, and for notifying a user of a time point at which the washing and dehydration steps are separated, such as at power-on, at the start and end of washing, and the like. Buzzer 47, an inverter circuit 48 that receives power from the DC power supply circuit 39 and supplies power to the drive motor 33, and an inverter drive circuit 49 that controls the inverter circuit 48 based on an instruction from the microcomputer 37, is connected in parallel. Setting input switch group 16, start / stop switch 17, LED group 19, and 7-segment LE A strobe circuit 50 for energizing the strobe feed line of the group 20, and supplies the display data output from the microcomputer 37 in the LED group 19 and seven segment LED group 20 the data buffer circuit 51,
52, a switch signal input circuit 53 for inputting signals from the setting input switch group 16 and the start / stop switch 17 to the microcomputer 37, operating conditions for executing the set washing and dehydration control programs and display control, A data storage unit 54 for storing various conditions during operation is provided.

The auxiliary drive circuit 42 is provided with a bath water pump 5
5, the accessory drive circuit 43 controls the power supply to the water supply solenoid valve 26, the accessory drive circuit 44 controls the power supply to the drain solenoid valve 28, and the accessory drive circuit 45 , And controls the power supply to the clutch solenoid 34a in the clutch mechanism 34.

The strobe circuit 50 includes six strobe power supply elements 50a to 50f, and each strobe power supply line 56a based on each strobe signal output in each strobe period set in the strobe output register group 37a of the microcomputer 37. ５６56f is supplied with strobe power.

The setting input switch group 16 and the start temporary stop switch 17 are divided into three groups. One terminal is connected in parallel with the other group, and the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56 are connected via the backflow prevention diode group 57. , And the other terminal is connected in parallel to the signal take-in lines 58a to 58c for each group, and connected to the switch signal input terminal 37b of the microcomputer 37 through the switch signal input circuit 53, to take in the strobe signal and the input switch signal. , A dynamic input control means for selectively taking in an input signal from each switch.

The LED group 19 is divided into four groups.
One terminal is connected in parallel with another group, and the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56
6 and the other terminal is connected to the display data feed line 60 for each group.
a to 60c are connected in parallel with each other and the display data output terminal 3 of the microcomputer 37 via the data buffer circuit 51.
7c, and constitutes dynamic lighting control means for selectively lighting the LED group 19 by a combination of a strobe signal and a display data signal.

The 7-segment LED group 20 uses a common anode type 7-segment LED. The common electrode of each 7-segment LED is connected in parallel with the LED group 19, and the common electrode of the 7-segment LED is connected to the LED group 19 via the backflow prevention diode group 59. Connected to the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56f, the segment electrodes of the 7-segment LEDs are connected to the display data power supply lines 61a to 61f.
The display data output terminal 37d of the microcomputer 37 is connected in parallel with the display buffer 61h via the data buffer circuit 52.
To form a dynamic lighting control means for selectively controlling lighting of the 7-segment LED group 20 by a combination of a strobe signal and a display data signal.

As the data storage unit 54, a storage element such as an EEPROM capable of electrically writing, reading, and erasing data is used.

The microcomputer 37 includes the water level sensor 15, the light sensor 21, and the popularity sensor 22.
Is input.

In the above configuration, the power plug of the electric washing machine is connected to the commercial AC power
When the laundry and the detergent are put in and the power switch 18 is turned on, the control device 14 functions as follows.

DC power supply circuit 39 and low voltage power supply circuit 4
0 operates to supply power to the microcomputer 37, the inverter circuit 48, and all other control circuits.
When the microcomputer 37 is activated, the microcomputer 37 immediately emits a buzzer 47 to notify the user that the power has been turned on in accordance with the control program.

The microcomputer 37 sets each strobe period by sequentially setting / resetting the strobe output register group 37a at a fixed cycle, and sets the input switch group 1 from the switch signal input terminal 37b.
The switch which has generated the input signal is specified by the combination of the strobe signal and the input switch signal input terminal from the input signals from 6, 6 and 17, and the amount of water, washing time, rinsing time, dehydration time, reservation The control program for the washing and dehydration steps, such as the necessity of the operation, the operation course, and the necessity of the bath water supply, is set. , 37d to display and control the LED groups 60a to 60d and the 7-segment LED group 20.

When an input signal indicating that the start / stop switch 17 has been pressed is input, the washing and spinning control program is executed, and the progress display control is started.

The microcomputer 37 sends a control signal to the auxiliary device drive circuit 43 to open the water supply electromagnetic valve 26 to supply tap water to the washing and dewatering tub 2 in tap water supply. The supplied tap water accumulates in the outer tank 5. The microcomputer 37 monitors the detection signal of the water level sensor 16,
When it is detected that a predetermined amount of water has accumulated in the outer tank 5, the water supply electromagnetic valve 26 is closed to stop water supply.

Next, the microcomputer 37 sends a control signal to the accessory driving circuit 45 to send the clutch solenoid 3
By energizing 4a, the clutch mechanism 34 is switched so that the rotation of the drive motor 33 is transmitted to the stirring blade 4 with the washing and dewatering tub 2 stationary, and the inverter circuit 48 is driven by the inverter drive circuit 49. A signal is sent, and the drive motor 33 is periodically rotated forward (clockwise) and reversely (counterclockwise) from the inverter circuit 48 to rotate the stirring blade 4 forward and backward at a predetermined cycle to execute a washing process. Let it.

This washing process is continued for a preset time, and after a lapse of the preset time, the inverter circuit 48
Is stopped to stop the operation of the drive motor 33, and the washing process is terminated.

Next, the microcomputer 37 operates the accessory drive circuit 44 to open the drain solenoid valve 28 and drains the washing water in the outer tub 5 out of the machine by the drain hose 29. When the drainage proceeds and the detection signal of the water level sensor 15 reaches the water level at the end of the drainage, the microcomputer 37 stops energizing the clutch solenoid 34a, and the drive motor 3
The clutch mechanism 34 is switched so as to transmit the rotation of 3 to the washing tub / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 and the driving motor 33 is rotated in the forward direction, whereby the washing tub / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are rotated at a high speed in the forward rotation direction. By rotating, the washing water permeating the laundry is dehydrated by the effect of centrifugal force. After performing the washing water dehydration for a predetermined time, the drive motor 33 is stopped to end the washing water dehydration.

Next, the microcomputer 37 closes the drainage electromagnetic valve 28, supplies water by the same control processing as described above, and supplies power to the clutch solenoid 34a to transmit the rotation of the drive motor 33 only to the stirring blade 4. By switching the clutch mechanism 34 and rotating the drive motor 33 forward and backward, the laundry is stirred by the stirring blades 4 to execute the rinsing step, and after the rinsing step is executed for a predetermined time, the drive motor 33 is stopped. To end the rinsing step.

Next, the microcomputer 37 operates the accessory drive circuit 44 to open the drain solenoid valve 28, and drains the rinsing water in the outer tub 5 out of the machine by the drain hose 29. When the drainage proceeds and the detection signal of the water level sensor 15 reaches the water level at the end of the drainage, the microcomputer 37 stops energizing the clutch solenoid 34a, and the drive motor 3
The clutch mechanism 34 is switched so as to transmit the rotation of 3 to the washing tub / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 and the driving motor 33 is rotated in the forward direction, whereby the washing tub / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are rotated at a high speed in the forward rotation direction. The rinsing water permeating the laundry by being rotated is dehydrated by the effect of centrifugal force. After performing the rinsing water dehydration for a predetermined time, the drive motor 33 is stopped to terminate the rinsing water dehydration.

The rinsing step and the rinsing water dehydrating step are performed as many times as necessary to complete the rinsing.

Finally, the microcomputer 37 executes a final dehydration step for a predetermined time, stops the drive motor 33, and ends the washing and dehydration steps.

The microcomputer 37 displays the progress of the washing and dehydrating processes by controlling the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 to be turned on and off. Moreover, the microcomputer 37
LED according to the environmental condition where the electric washing machine is placed
The light emission amount (brightness) of the group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 is controlled.

The LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 are turned on by supplying power to the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56f and display data power supply lines 60a to 60d and 61a to 61h.
Is realized by the potential level difference of Therefore, the microcomputer 37 changes the time width of the strobe signal in accordance with the environmental condition to change the lighting power supply of the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20, thereby changing the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20.
Change the light emission amount of

FIG. 2 illustrates a time chart of strobe signals STBa to STBf for maximizing the light emission amount of LED group 19 and 7-segment LED group 20. The maximum light emission amount is determined, for example, by the LED group 19 in daytime outdoor brightness or indoor specially illuminated brightness.
And strobe signals STBa to STBf so that the light emission amount is appropriate for display by the 7-segment LED group 20.
Is set by the time width tON (max).

FIG. 3 illustrates a time chart of the strobe signals STBa to STBf for setting the light emission amount of the LED group 19 and the seven-segment LED group 20 to a medium level. The medium light emission amount is, for example, the LED groups 19 and 7 at standard brightness by general indoor lighting.
The time width tON (typ) of each of the strobe signals STBa to STBf is set so that the light emission amount is appropriate for the display by the segment LED group 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates a time chart of the strobe signals STBa to STBf for minimizing the light emission amount of the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20. The minimum light emission amount is set by, for example, the time width tON (min) of the strobe signals STBa to STBf so that the light emission amount is appropriate for the display by the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 in the unlit indoor brightness. I do.

Each of such strobe signals STBa to STBa
The change in the time width tON of TBf is determined by the microcomputer 3
7 by changing the timing of resetting the strobe output register group 37a.

In such lighting light emission amount adjustment control,
Since the strobe power supply is commonly used to capture the input switch signal, it is necessary to take measures so that the change in the time width of the strobe power supply does not affect the capture of the input switch signal.

Therefore, in this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the strobe signals STBa to STBa
The time width tON of Bf depends on each of the strobe signals STBa to STBa.
The start end of Bf is changed by changing the end as a fixed period, and the input switch signal fetch timings S1 to S6 are set in the first half of each strobe signal STBa to STBf (when the end is changed with the maximum time width). (Remaining area).

In this way, the input switch signal can be normally taken in even when the amount of light emission is controlled to the minimum.

The control of the amount of light emission is performed by changing the timing at which the microcomputer 37 sets the strobe output register group 37a to change the time width tON of each of the strobe signals STBa to STBf to the start end of each of the strobe signals STBa to STBf. It can also be realized by delaying. At this time, the input switch signal fetch timings S1 to S6 may be set to be in the latter half of each of the strobe signals STBa to STBf (the remaining area when the start end is delayed by the maximum time width).

For controlling the amount of light emitted in accordance with the environmental condition, the optical sensor 21 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the brightness (luminous intensity) around the electric washing machine. Strobe signals STBa to ST having a time width tON proportional to the brightness according to the detection signal
This can be realized by generating Bf.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the amount of light emission is changed in three stages with six strobe signals STBa to STBf.

The microcomputer 37 includes the optical sensor 2
1 as a reference value for determining the brightness of the environment based on the level Vout of the detection signal, a threshold value V1 for determining that the brightness is dark such as the unlit indoor brightness, a brightness in the daytime outdoors and a brightness particularly illuminated indoors. It has a threshold value V2 for judging as bright as above.

When the power is turned on or when the electric washing machine is installed in a standard brightness environment such as indoors, the level Vout of the detection signal output from the optical sensor 21 is V
1 ≦ Vout ≦ V2, and the microcomputer 37
Are determined to be in the “standard brightness” environment state, and the LED group 19 to be turned on and the 7-segment LED group 20
Are supplied to the strobe power supply elements 50a to 50f of the strobe circuits 50 that supply strobe power to the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56f connected to the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56f.
Ba to STBf are converted to a standard time width tON as shown in FIG.
(typ), and the light emission amount of the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 is set as a standard value.

Further, at night or in a dark environment where the indoor lighting is turned off, the level Vout of the detection signal output from the optical sensor 21 is Vout ≦ V1, and the microcomputer 37 operates in the “dark” environment state. LED group 19 to be lit and 7-segment L
The strobe power supply lines 56a to which the ED group 20 is connected
Each of the strobe signals STBa to STBf supplied to the strobe power supply elements 50a to 50f of each strobe circuit 50 for strobe power supply to 56f has the shortest time width tON (min) as shown in FIG. The light emission amount of 20 is set to the minimum value.

Further, in the daytime outdoors or in a bright environment illuminated specially indoors, the level Vout of the detection signal output from the optical sensor 21 becomes Vout ≧ V2, and the microcomputer 37 outputs “bright”. Each of the strobe power supply elements 50a to 50f of each strobe circuit 50 that determines that the LED is in the environmental state and supplies strobe power to the strobe power supply lines 56a to 56f to which the LED group 19 to be turned on and the 7-segment LED group 20 are connected. The strobe signals STBa to STBf are set to the longest time width tON (max) as shown in FIG.
The light emission amount of the segment LED group 20 is set to the maximum value.

By performing the above-described light emission amount adjustment control, the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 are controlled.
Is lit and displayed so that the amount of emitted light is easy to see according to the brightness of the environment.

The control for controlling the amount of emitted light is set to be executed each time the electric power is supplied to the electric washing machine and the microcomputer 37 is started up. By pressing two of the preset input switch groups 16 and 17 simultaneously for several seconds, the microcomputer 37 is programmed not to execute the lighting light emission amount adjustment control, and this light emission light amount adjustment control unnecessary information is stored in data. The microcomputer 37 reads out the information on the presence or absence of the setting of the light emission amount adjustment unnecessary information in the data storage unit 54 from the next start-up, and sets the light emission amount adjustment control unnecessary information. In the state where is set, the light emission amount adjustment control process is not executed.

When the setting is made so as to control the amount of light emission, when the two input switches predetermined on the program are simultaneously pressed for several seconds as described above, the light emission of the data storage unit 54 is performed. What is necessary is just to erase the information unnecessary for the amount adjustment control.

Immediately after the power is turned on, the microcomputer 37 executes the above-described lighting emission amount adjustment control processing to set the lighting emission amounts of the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 to a value corresponding to the brightness of the environment. The display is controlled to perform the optimal display lighting, and the light emission amount (time width tON of the strobe signal) data at this time is stored in the data storage unit 54.

Further, measurement of the passage of time is started by a timer constituted by software or a hardware timer built in the microcomputer 37. Here, if no operation is applied to the input switch groups 16 and 17, that is, if no operation is continued for a certain period of time, the microcomputer 37 outputs the strobe signals STBa to STBf regardless of the brightness of the environment. The time width is set to the minimum value TON (min), and the light emission amount of the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 is set to the minimum state. Or
Data buffer circuit 5 from microcomputer 37
Stop sending display data to be supplied to 1,52
The group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 are turned off.

When any one of the input switches 16 and 17 is pressed in the minimum brightness display state or the light-off state, the microcomputer 37 turns on the lighting stored in the data storage unit 54 at the time of startup. The light emission amount data (strobe signal time width) is read out, and the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED are used at the initial optimum light emission amount.
The group 20 is returned to light.

The microcomputer 37 monitors the detection signal of the popular sensor 22 to detect the presence or absence of a moving object (person = user) around the electric washing machine, particularly within an arbitrary distance in front of the electric washing machine. Then, when a person approaching for the operation condition setting operation or the progress state confirmation appears, this is detected, and the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED are emitted at a predetermined lighting amount.
The group 20 is turned on. When the user finishes the operation such as setting the driving conditions and presses the start / stop switch 17 to start driving, or leaves the place after checking the progress state, the detection signal of the popularity sensor 22 becomes small. The microcomputer 37 recognizes from the detection signal that the user no longer exists. Therefore, the microcomputer 37 sets the time width of each of the strobe signals STBa to STBf to the minimum value TON regardless of the brightness of the environment.
(min), LED group 19 and 7-segment LED group 20
Is minimized. LED group 19 and 7 segment L
When the ED group 20 is turned off, the strobe signals STBa to STBf are used to control the input switch.
It is preferable to stop sending display data to be supplied to the data buffer circuits 51 and 52 without extinguishing the data.

When the user approaches again, the microcomputer 37 detects this based on the detection signal of the popularity sensor 22 and detects the LED group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 2.
0 is lit at a predetermined light emission amount.

According to the control for adjusting the amount of emitted light,
Dynamic lighting control type LED for electric washing machine
The group 19 and the 7-segment LED group 20 can be lit with the amount of light emission according to the environmental state by controlling the time width of the strobe signal, so that visibility and reduction in power consumption can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, the input signal of the input switch does not adversely affect the dynamic input control.

The control for adjusting the amount of emitted light is performed by an LED.
It is also possible to apply to lighting control of various displays other than the above, and to various home electric appliances other than the electric washing machine.

[0072]

According to the present invention, the light emission amount of the display can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

Further, the control of the light emission amount of the display device and the capture of the input switch signal can be rationally realized with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric system of an electric washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of a strobe signal in lighting light emission amount adjustment control of the control device of the electric washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing another example of a strobe signal in the light emission amount adjustment control of the control device of the electric washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing still another example of a strobe signal in the light emission amount adjustment control of the control device of the electric washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical side view of the electric washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a plan view of an operation panel in the electric washing machine shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 ... operation panel, 16 ... setting input switch group, 17 ...
Start pause switch, 19 ... LED group, 20 ... 7
Segment LED group, 21: Optical sensor, 22: Popular sensor, 37: Microcomputer, 37a: Strobe output register group, 37b: Switch signal input terminal, 37
c, 37d: display data output terminal, 50: strobe circuit, 50a to 50f: strobe feed element, 56a to 5
6f ... Strobe power supply line.

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 3B155 BB02 JA03 JB04 JB24 KB14 KB16 LC02 LC12 LC14 LC28 MA01 MA07 MA09 MA10 5C080 AA07 BB02 DD01 DD26 DD27 EE28 JJ02 JJ04 JJ06 KK42 KK45

Claims (4)

[Claims] An operation unit for setting operation contents of a device or instructing start or stop of operation, a display unit for displaying the set contents and an operation state of the device, and a brightness of an installation environment of the device. And / or a household electrical appliance including lighting emission amount adjusting means for adjusting the lighting emission amount of the display unit in the display unit by detecting the popularity and / or the no-operation time length, wherein the display unit has a strobe signal and Dynamic lighting control means for selectively controlling the lighting of a plurality of displays by a combination of display data signals, wherein the lighting light emission amount adjusting means is adapted to the brightness and / or popularity and / or non-operation time length of the installation environment of the device. A household electric appliance characterized in that the light emission amount of the display is changed by changing the generation time width of the strobe signal in accordance with the following. 2. The dynamic lighting control means according to claim 1, wherein said dynamic lighting control means generates each strobe signal at a constant cycle.
The household electric appliance, wherein the lighting light emission amount adjusting means changes the generation time width of each strobe signal by changing the timing of terminating each strobe signal. 3. An operation input unit having an input switch for setting operation contents of a device or instructing start or stop of operation, and a display unit having a display for displaying the set contents and an operation state of the device. And a home electric appliance comprising a light emission amount adjusting means for adjusting the light emission amount of the display by detecting brightness and / or popularity and / or non-operation time length of an installation environment of the device. The input unit includes a dynamic input control unit that selectively captures input signals from a plurality of input switches by a combination of a strobe signal and an input switch signal capture, and the display unit includes a plurality of strobe signals and a display data signal. Dynamic lighting control means for selectively controlling the lighting of the display; and Changing the generation time width of the strobe signal in accordance with the brightness and / or popularity and / or non-operation time length of the display device to change the light emission amount of the display; and the dynamic input control means captures an input switch signal. In the first half or the second half of the generation time width of each of the strobe signals. 4. The dynamic lighting control means according to claim 3, wherein said dynamic lighting control means generates each strobe signal at a constant cycle.
The lighting light emission amount adjusting means changes the generation time width of each strobe signal by changing the timing of trailing each strobe signal, and the dynamic input control means reads the input switch signal and outputs the strobe signal of each strobe signal. A household electric device characterized in that it is performed at the first half timing of the generation time width.